Fully Booked - Remus Lupin

023 - recovery

I've been writing like a mad woman all week, so enjoy the mass upload loves!

Evan Rosier grinned, stepping closer to me.

"I'm surprised to see you!  Much less in such good condition!"  His white teeth gleamed in the light of the waning moon.

"For having one goal in life, you seem pretty trash at fulfilling it."  I taunted, resisting the urge to look up at the tree.  I wasn't sure how I was getting out of this, but I could at least make sure they would be.

Evan's smile dropped, his eyes narrowing. 

"I'm going to enjoy this."  He growled, reaching for me.  I ducked out of the way, darting around the tree.  Unfortunately, his hand managed to grasp onto my ponytail, yanking me back roughly.  I whimpered, biting my lip so hard I tasted blood.

He threw me to the ground, my elbow hitting first followed by my head.  My vision swam as tears formed in my eyes.  Before I could even think of getting up, he knelt on top of me, his knee pressing into my chest.

"Oh, little Mudblood."  He purred, his finger coming up and swiping my face.  I hadn't realized I was bleeding until he showed me my blood on his hand.  "Look at it.  So fifthly."

I spat in his face.

His reaction was so fast, it took me a moment to realize that he had hit me.  My head was now turned to the side, staring at the bush his wand had flown into.  This time, I felt the trickle of blood as it slid down my cheek.

"You won't survive this time, Little Mudblood."  Evan hissed, his hands sliding around my throat, gripping tightly.  "This time, I'll get to watch the light leave your eyes."

I writhed beneath him, the blood pounding in my head, making me feel like it would burst.  His grip just tightened more. 

Over the wall, the loud crack of apparation sounded.

If could have cried, I would have. 

Jeni was safe.

Remus was safe.

I did it.

I closed my eyes, as the darkness completely clouded my vision.

I did it.

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Remus let go of Mr. Dunam's hand, dropping him into the waiting arms of his wife and daughters.  Mrs. Dunam held Tess's wand, and with a crack, the family disapparated.  Remus's eyes searched the tree for Tess, hoping, praying that she had made it up. 

But no, she was on the ground, Evan Rosier kneeling on top of her, hands clenched around her throat.

No no no.

Remus panicked at the purple color of her face.  Her eyes were closed.

He couldn't leave without her. 

He had to save her.

Remus just prayed that she wasn't already past that point.

He grabbed onto a nearby branch, swinging down.  His momentum sent him knocking into Rosier, sending them both tumbling off of Tess.  Before Evan could get his bearings, Remus punched him as hard as he could across the face.  He felt his knuckles splitting on contact with the other man's cheek, but he didn't stop.  He swung again and again, not giving Rosier any time to recover or retaliate. 

Remus finally stopped when Evan slumped against the grass, unconscious or dead, Remus didn't know or care.  Instead, he hurried over to Tessa, lifting her small body into his arms.  She was breathing, but her breaths were shallow, most likely due to the swelling of her throat.